35' Jeanneau Lagoon Catamaran

Review Article - Jeanneau Lagoon 35 CCC

Lagoon 35 CCC

Jeanneau Lagoon 35 CCC

By Herb McCormickAugust 5, 2002   Refreshingly, Jeanneau is so up front about the capabilities of their newest Lagoon cat that theyââ?¬â?¢ve initialed them in the boatââ?¬â?¢s title. The "three Cs" of the Lagoon 35 CCC stand, without fanfare, for Coastal Cruising Catamaran. Racing to Bermuda? Look elsewhere.

Surprisingly, the boat was created by Gino Morrelli and Pete Melvin, among America�s most successful multihull duo from involvement in the controversial 1988 America�s Cup catamaran defense to Tornado-class Olympic campaigns. Initially, the M&M design team hardly conjures "cruising."

Performance was clearly prioritized. Although the 35 employs a single-spreader rig that flies a relatively conservative sail plan of 620 square feet (including Profurl roller jib) the key to maintaining average speeds in the high single digits in moderate to fresh breezes is the easily driven hull and lightish displacement for a boat of this size -- about 9,500 pounds unloaded.

The steering station with full instrument array and engine controls nicely fronts a comfortable seat for extended sessions at the helm. Halyards, sheets and reefing lines are led aft to a series of three cockpit-mounted self-tailing winches for quick and efficient sail handling; standard lazy jacks for the mainsail keep things tidy when tucking reefs or dousing altogether. The mostly Lewmar deck hardware package features rope clutches, blocks, genoa cars, traveler and so on.

The wondrous and vast deck space, typical of cats, includes a languorous cockpit stationed just forward of twin sets of transom steps for graceful boardings and exits ashore, for hopping a dinghy or for taking a plunge. Molded-in steps forward of the raised cabin gives ready access to the small trampoline between the hullA tidy anchoring arrangement leads the rode under the tramp from a forward roller to a huge gasketed locker aft, which provides compartments for ground tackle, spare line, shore power cord, and plenty of other loose but necessary stuff.

You move from cockpit into the main saloon through a folding Plexiglas door. On the upper "floor" of the usual split-level bridge-deck arrangement, the galley to port opposite a big settee and dining area keeps the cook and the company together for socializing and both close to the cockpit when under way or at anchor. There are two big double berths aft, and a huge, airy head with roomy shower stall in the starboard hull. The port hull bow can contain a second custom head, a large single berth, or a workshop/storage area.

Beneath the double berths, access to a pair of standard Yanmar 1GM10 diesel inboards (bigger Yanmars are optional) is excellent. Coupled to fixed two-bladed props, the twin engines drive the 35 CCC at an effortless 7.5 to eight knots and make maneuverability in even the tightest of turnarounds a snap.

Like its 37- and 42-foot sister ships, the Lagoon 35 CCC is built in the United States by TPI using the revolutionary but proven SCRIMP resin-infusion process, and incorporates biaxial glass and a balsa core. Jeanneau�s 10-year blister/five-year structural warranty is one of the best in the boatbuilding business.

This latest Lagoon is very simple to sail and operate. It will redefine what you think is possible in under 35 feet of waterline for quick and comfortable coastwise exploration, lots of fun under sail and plenty of comfort when the hook is down.

Jeanneau Lagoon 35 CCC Specifications:

* LOA: 34'6" (10.5 m.)
* LWL: 33'3" (10.1 m.)
* Beam (max): 15'9" (4.8 m.); 46% LOA
* Draft: 3'6" (1.07 m.)
* Disp (half-load): 12,127 lbs. (5,501 kgs.)
* Sail area: 620 sq.ft. (57.6 sq.m.)
* Mast above water: 49'6" (15.1 m.)
* Length/Beam (hulls): 7:1
* Underwing clearance: 1'8" (0.51 m.); 4.3% LOA
* Cabin Headroom: 6'3" (1.91 m.)
* Disp/Length: 147
* SA/Disp: 18.8; Bruce #: 1.03
* Fuel: 36 gal. (136 ltr.)
* Water: 68 gal. (257 ltr.)
* Holding: 30 gal. (113 ltr.)
* Auxiliary: 2 x 16-hp Yanmar
* Designer: Morelli & Melvin
* Base Price: $171,700